KARACHI: Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said on Monday that while the province’s administrative system had been empowered under the 18th Amendment and the Sindh Local Government Act, there was still a need to improve the devolution of powers to the grassroots level.

“In some areas we are doing good work, while in others there is room for improvement,” he said while speaking to the media at the inauguration ceremony of the Sindh e-Sports Championship 2026.

The minister’s remarks came amid long-standing criticism that despite legislative devolution after the 18th Amendment, local government institutions in the province continue to face financial and administrative constraints.

Elected representatives at the district and union council level, mainly belonging to opposition parties, often complain of limited fiscal autonomy and dependence on the provincial government for funds and decision-making.

LG minister stresses improvement in devolution of powers as per 18th Amendment

Mr Shah acknowledged that strengthening grassroots governance remained a priority for the Pakistan Peoples Party which had maintained that empowering local bodies was key to addressing civic issues in both urban and rural Sindh.

He also said that the PPP and the Sindh Assembly were unanimously opposed to the creation of a new province in Sindh, calling the matter an “emotional issue” for the people of the province.

The minister said the country originally had only four provinces and divisions. “The Sindh Assembly has already made it clear that no new province will be created in Sindh. This decision was taken unanimously, and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) was also part of that decision,” he said.

He said that the PPP believed in the implementation of the Constitution and maintained a clear position on the issue of new provinces. “Mustafa Kamal has previously stated that a new province was not required but his position now appears to have changed,” he added.

The local government minister said that Sindh had always welcomed people belonging to every school of thought and every language. “People from different backgrounds have lived here together, and the province has continued to provide opportunities to all,” he said.

On Karachi’s development, the minister said that a large number of projects were under way, including the development of parks and work on around 140 roads, as part of ongoing efforts to improve civic infrastructure.

Earlier, Mr Shah and Sindh Sports Secretary Munawar Ali Mahesar jointly inaugurated the second Sindh e-Sports Championship 2026.

More than 1,000 teams from across the province are participating, with Rs3 million in prize money set aside for winners.

The inauguration ceremony was attended among others by CM’s Special Assistant on IT Ali Rashid, MPA Saima Agha, Director Sports Dr Asad Ishaque and Chief Executive Officer of Troy Fit Ahmer Azam.

Calling it a matter of pride and an excellent opportunity for our youth, the minister said that empowering young people in sports, education, technology and employment was a key part of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s vision.

He described Nexora’s initiative “The Next Era of Champions” as a professional platform for young gamers. “The Sindh government is providing opportunities to young people not only in traditional sports but also in modern technology and e-Sports,” he added.

The LG minister said that e-Sports could become an important means of highlighting the abilities of young people and connecting them with new opportunities in the digital era.

The championship features PUBG Mobile, Tekken 8 and FC 27. Qualifying rounds will be held at universities in Karachi, semi-finals at prominent shopping malls, and the grand finale is scheduled for the first week of October at the Karachi Expo Centre.

Mr Shah said the government was continuing to develop modern sports facilities and infrastructure across Sindh. During the ceremony, shields were presented to 24 boxers, jujitsu players and coaches for outstanding performances at national-level championships.

The minister said that athletes from the province had brought recognition to the province nationally and internationally, and that encouraging them would motivate more youth to take up sports.

Sports Secretary Munawar Ali Mahesar said that the province had immense sporting talent and that the government was committed to providing platforms, facilities and opportunities for youth to compete at national and international levels.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2026